Non-Tacky Fluorinated and Elastomeric STEM Networks

Macromol Rapid Commun. 2019 May;40(10):e1800876. doi: 10.1002/marc.201800876. Epub 2019 Feb 10.

Abstract

Soft, elastomeric, non-tacky polymer networks are synthesized by reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP). First, the pristine, structurally tailored and engineered macromolecular (STEM) networks are synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and incorporated an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) inimer into the network. Subsequently, poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PBA) and/or poly(octafluoropentyl acrylate) (POFPA) side chains are grafted from the network by photo-induced ATRP. These low glass transition temperature side chains produced soft materials (E = 104-178 kPa). However, only the POFPA-containing networks are also non-tacky. The fluorine content and material properties are investigated by dynamic mechanical analysis, elemental analysis, spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements.

Keywords: atom transfer radical polymerization; elastomers; macromolecular gels; polymer networks; semi-fluorinated.

MeSH terms

  • Acrylates / chemistry*
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemical synthesis
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Elasticity
  • Molecular Structure
  • Polymerization*
  • Polymers / chemical synthesis*
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Protein Engineering

Substances

  • Acrylates
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Polymers
  • poly(n-butyl acrylate)